Hurdle



May 2, 1933., F. E. Aus-IHN HURDLE Filed Feb. 5, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTDRNEN;

May 2, 1933.

F. E. AUSTIN HURDLE Filed Feb. 5, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 2, 1933. F E AUSTlN 1,907,149

HURDLE Filed Feb. 5, 1951 s Sheets-sheet 5 Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED sraras .Parana carica- FRANK E. AUSTIN, OF HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T HARRY E. HELLMAN, OF HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE HUB-DLE Application filed February The invention relates to an improvement in hurdles of the type used inV racing or for athletic purposes by persons or horses, and in fact for any purpose for which such type of hurdle can be used.

Among the objects of the inventionv is to provide a hurdle having any one orall of the following capabilities: One in which the hurdle, will automatically Vand quickly return to its normal or regulation position when turned from such position; one in which the hurdle bar when hit by a hurdler will be deflected and will not rise above its normal or regulation position during the period of the deflection; one in which the hurdle bar will be easily deflected from its normal or regulation position, the bar being so supported as to possess relatively little inertia, so avoiding tripping when the bar is hit by the foot of a hurdler; one in which a foul will be indicated following such deflections der certain circumstances of the hurdle as requires the registration of a foul; one easily convertible into a high or low hurdle; and one in which the hurdle bar may become released from the standard unwhen struck by a hurdler.

The invention can best be seen and understood by. reference to the drawings in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the hurdle according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectionon the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the hurdle showing especially one of its standards and associated foulindicating device, these parts being shown in full and dotted lines to indicate different relative positions occupied by them, the full lines indicating the parts when the hurdle is in a normal or regulation position, and the dotted lines indicating the parts when the hurdle is in a deflected posif tion.

Fig. l is a side elevation of the hurdle like Fig. 3 excepting that the relative positions of the standard and foul-indicating device are shown aft-er return of the hurdle to a normal position following such deflection of 5, 1931. Serial No. 513,547.

the hurdle as has required theregistration of a foul. Y q

Fig 5 is a vertical crosssection of a detail of construction.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the hurdle according to another embodiment of the invention, one of thev standards .being shown partlyin vertical cross section.

Fig. 7 is a cross section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6. e K

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the hurdle shown in Fig. 6 when occupying a normaler regulation pcsition.

Fig. 9 is aside elevation cepting that the lhollow base standard is cut away in part for showing the ,generalV` structure Vthereof and thel contained mechanism for indicating a foul. r

Fig. 10 is a side elevation like Figures 8 and 9 excepting that the standard-is shown retained in a deflected' position by the foul indicating Idevice following such deflection ofl the hurdle as has required the registration ofafoul.v p y Fig. l1Y is a section in enlarged detail of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 10.

Figs. 12,l 13 and 141 show in side elevation a modified structure in which the base portion of theliurdle is fitted with jointed or articulated members assisting in the support of the standard as occasion requires, Fig. l2v showing these members closed7 Fig. 13 showingthe members open, vand Fig. 14 .showing the members open andthe standard'occupy ing a tipped orrocked position.

Fig. 15 and 16 are front elevations showing the hurdle fitted with a reversible frame carrying the hurdle bar and by which the hurdle may be converted into either a low or high hurdle, Fig. 15 showing the conversion into a low hurdle and Fig. 16 the conversion into a high hurdle, these figures show also a modified form or type of hurdle bar.

Fig. 17 shows in enlarged detailA a portion of the structure .shown in Figs. 15 and 16.

Fig. 18 is a section on the'line 18-18 of Fig. 17, and i Y i Fig. 19 shows in perspective a detail of a modied form of the hurdle bar as shown in Figures 15 16 and 17. i

like Fig. .s exportion of the Referring to the drawings:

1 represents the respective standards and 2 the hurdle bar borne by the standards. Each of the standards comprises a base portion 3 and upright 4. Each of the standards is so made that it will rest upon the ground or base of support in a proper normal or regulation position but with the capability of being rocked or deflected from such position, and with the further capability of stable equilibrium by which it will return to its original position after such deflection or displacement. To this end the base of the standard is preferably a somewhat heavy or weighty body presenting on its under side a rounding or cylindrical surface 5, while the centre of gravity of the standard, located in the base and lying as it does wit-hin a vertical line passed through the point or axis of support when the standard is in its normal or regulation position, will be raised on deflection of the standard whereupon gravity will tend to return the standard to its normal or regulation position after such deflection. When the standards are in their normal or regulation positions, they, and the crossbarcarried by them, will be easily deflected inasmuch as the centres of gravity of the standards occupy positions relatively near their points of support as compared with the heights of the standards. This capability practically eliminates the danger of a hurdler tripping in case his foot fails to clear the top of the hurdle bar for little percussion results from engagement with the hurdle bar since the inertia of the hurdle bar and combined standards is much less than that of the ordinary form of hurdle. Moreover when the standards are deflected as by the action just mentioned the hurdle bar will not rise above its normal or regulation position during the period of deflection, thereby possessing advantage over the ordinary hurdle in which the crossbar is raised when the hurdle is ydeflected often causing the hurdler vto fall.

The standards may be of any suitable material or materials and may have any suitable form of structure provided the capabilities just referred to are retained.

The hurdle bar 2, extending crosswise the two standards, rests to lit at its opposite ends within slots 6 cut in the tops of the standards. That portion of the hurdle bar lying between the standards bears a strip 7 on its under side.

l This strip is Wider than the thickness 0f the main bar and by the bearing of its ends against the uprights of the standards determines the spaced positioning of the standards. That portion of the hurdle bar lying above the strip 7 is preferably covered with a'blanlet of thick felt or other soft substance 8 which reduces to a minimum shock by contact with the bar.

For the purpose of indicating and registering a foul provision is made as follows:

Each standard, and especially the upright portion of the standard, is provided with a relatively long cut-out portion 10 forming a housing within which is contained a pendulum comprising a rod 12 with Hat sides and a bob y13 on the lower end of the rod. The pendulum is hung'suspended from a pin 14 passed laterally through the upright and tirough the upper end of the rod 12 at the top end of the housing, and this pin forms the axis on which the pendulum swings.

y lll/Then the standard is in its'normal or regulation position the pendulum lies contained within the housing. Bearing against the flat side of the bar 12 of the pendulum thus contained at a point just below the pin 14 is a spring-pressed bolt 16.` kThis bolt is arranged within a'bent strap forming a casing 17 0n the side of the upright portion of the standard. The bolt passes from outside the casing through an openling ,18 in it, thence through an opening 19 inthe side of the upright and extends to engage the pendulum bar as aforesaid. Fixed to the bolt within the chamber `of the casing is a collar 20,'and arranged upon the bolt between this collar and the casing is a spring 21 tensioned to effect a normal projection of the bolt. That portion of the bolt extending outside the casing is provided on its endwith a thumbpiece 22 by which the bolt maybe retracted. ln the normal setting of the parts when the standard is in its normal or Vregulation position and the pendulum is contained within the standard as aforesaid. the spring-pressed bolt will simply bear againstk the flat side of the bar 1 2 of the pendulum. When the upright is deflected from its normaler regulation position, as for'example. when the hurdle bar is struck by a hurdler, the pendulum continuing tomaintain its Vgravitated position will move out of its housing. Tf the deflection of the standardA issuliicient, thev pendulum will move so far relatively to the standard that the spring-pressed bolt bearing against the side of the pendulum bar will be released to slip by the side of the bar substantially as shown in the dotted lines of Fig. 3 and while thus projecting it will operate to prevent the returnV of the pendulum into its housing when the standard automatically returns to its normal or regulation position. Thus the pendulum will be left for indicatine; a foul substantially as shown in Fig. 4:. Afterward the pendulum can be returned into its housing in the upright 'simply lWithdrawing the boltafter which the bolt maybe released to bear against the side of the peny dulum bar.

ln Fig. 6 there is shown amodification of the invention in that the hurdle is shown equipped with a foul-indicating device espe- 'cially adapted for construction in which the upright'portions 25 of the standards rising from bases 26, are-equipped with adjustable extensions 27 by `which the hurdle bar mounted on the extensions maybe raised to a determinate elevation. The extensions 27 are arranged to slide in ways 28 formed in the uprights and are secured in adjusted. position by means of clamps 29. The base portion 26 of each of the standards is made hollow, access being had to the interior thereof through a lid 30 located on the upper side of the base and Y secured to the base by a hinged connection 31. Located in the chambered interior of the base is a weight 33 made preferably cylindrical in form. When the standard is in its normal or regulation position the weight rests upon a block 34 and exerts no displacing or deflecting iniuence upon the standard. The block 34 is contained within a housing 35 formed within Vthe bottom wallk of the base, and is hinged to the wall by a. connection 36 by which the block may be turned into an angularr position with relation to the base and socket. (See Fig. 11.) Interposed between the forward free end of the block and the base wall at the bottom of the housing is a spring 38 seated within an opening 39 formed in the lock. IVhen the weight 33 is resting upon the block it will hold the block 34 in a downturned position within its housing, the spring` SSYbeing then compressed. When 'the hurdle is deflected, however, or defiected in a sufficient amount to require the registration of a foul, then (as theY hurdle is deiiected) the weight 33 will roll forward off the block 34 into that portion of the chamber lying forward ofthe block. This permits the forward end of the block to be raised by the spring, whereupon the block will function as a stop preventing the return of the ball as the hurdle tends to right itself. The displaced position of the weight having changed the position of the centre of gravity ofthe entire hurdle, the weight will operate to hold the hurdle invits deflected position substantillylas shown in Fig. 10 thereby indicating a ou Y In Figs. 12 to 14 the base of the standard is provided with wings 40, 41 adapted and arranged to either occupy a folded out-ofthe-way position when the standard will function substantially like the standard previously described or, when arranged to occupy an extended operative position, will assist in the stable support of the standard and while permitting of its rocking or deiiection, will curb such action, and after defiection will assist in quickly restoring the standard to its normal upright and' regulation position. To this end the base is provided with a flat top surface 42 and the wings are hinged respectively by connections 43 to the front and rear of the base along the meet ing lines between the flat top surface of the base and its rounding bottom surface. When the wings are in their out-of-the-way inoperative position they fold inwardly as shown in Fig. 12 to rest upon the baseand the base becomes to all intents and purposes substantiallyv like the base of the standards previously described. When open the wings turn outward and rest upon the ground or surface onwhich the base proper is resting with extension forward and rear of the base. When thus open and extending the wings will give support to the base and standard for maintaining the standard in a normal upright position, but will at the same time permit of the rocking or deflection of the standard. Upon deflection of the standard'it will rock` upon its base andV at the same time the vforward wing will be made to slide along the `ground or surface on whichthe wing is resting, while the rear wing 41 will be lifted above this surface. (See Fig. 14. This action` will tend' to curbfthe rocking of the standard, at the same time will permitv it. Inasmuch as the rear wing41 has been raised above the surface, on deiiecting the standard, the weight of .this wingon the base will cause the standard to quickly return'to its normal upright position after ,rocking or deflection. f i' InV Fig. lthereis shown combined with the standards means by which the hurdle may be quickly transformed from a low hurdle to a high hurdlev with hurdle bar at standard Y height in both instances. Tfwohurdle bars are provided 45 and 46, respectively. TheseV bars are borne by a frame comprising side bars 47 connecting crossbars 48. The frame is pivotedto the two standards by pivotal connections v49 betweenthe uprights of the standards and the sidebars of the frame. The two hurdle bars 45 and 46 extendedbetween the side bars occupy determinate positions, vrespectively with relation to the pivotal centre or axis on which the frame turns. `Of these the hurdle bar" 45 will be supported to lie such distance above the axis of the frame, whenthev frame is occupying an upright position, that the hurdle bar will occupy a position requisite fork forming a On the other handv the hurdle low hurdle. bar 46 will b-e spaced such distance away from the axis of the frame that, when the frame is turned to an upright position with the hurdle bar 46 uppermost, it will occupy a position requisite for forming a high hurdle. The frame is held in either turned position for forming either a vlow or a high hurdle by means of bolts 50 passed through the uprights of the standards andV entering sockets orY openings 51 formed in the side barsl of the frame. Each bolt is carried by and ymaintained in a normal engaging position by means of a spring 52 fastened to the side of the standard, and the bolt may be withdrawn permitting ofthe frame being turned by retracting the spring. e

Instead of the hurdle bar being made of wood or like substancev it may be made of stitched to enfold and hold small dowels or pins 53@ The hurdle lbars thus fitted with doweled ends are retained in operative taut positions by means of clips 54 on the uprights of the standards Y which grip the doweled ends of the hurdle bars, thereby holding them securely in place. The bars are releasable by pulling their doweled ends from the clips, and this effect-will be obtained in case a hurdler does not top the bar,y but strikes the same violently. In suclrcase the hurdle barA when struck willloose itself from the clips, and the' detachment of the hurdle bar may register afoul. l

Having thus fully described my invention, I'claim and desire to secure'by Letters latent of the United States'z-Y 'i Y l. A hurdle of the character" specified com-V prising a set of standards, a, hurdle bar borne bythe standards, eaclrof said standards including a base portion and an upright upstanding therefrom, said base4 port-ion of the standard having a curved. under surface wherebythe standard may be rocked and ,its upright deflected, andthe centre of gravity of each'of said standards being so' arranged that the standard will possess stableequilibrium when occupying an upright position and will automatically returnto such position after rocking and deflection of its upright.

` 2. A hurdle of the character specified comprising a set. of standards, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said `standards 1ncluding a base portion andan upright upstanding therefrom, said base portion of the 'standard having a curved under surface whereby the standard may be rocked 'and its upright deflectechand the centre of gravity of each of said standardsv being so'arra'nged that the'standard will possess stable equi; librium when occupying an upright position and will automaticallyV return to such posi; tion after rocking and deflection of its up# right, and'means for indicating a foul when said standards are rocked and the uprghts thereof deflected in a determinate amount.

3. A hurdle of the character specified comprising a set of standards, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said standards including a baseportion and ran upright upstanding therefrom, said base port-ion of thev standard having a curved under surface whereby the standard may be lrocked and its upright deflected, and thecentre of gra ity of each of said standards being so arranged that the standard will possess stable equilibrium when occupying an upright position and will automatically return to such position after rocking and deflection of its upright, a weight connected with'one of said standards and adapted to occupy a normal gravitated .position with relation thereto when the standard is in an upright position and to occupy a changed position when the standard has been rocked and the upright thereof deflected in a determinate amount, and means for holding th-e weight in said changed position.

4. A hurdle of the character specified comprising a set of standards, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said standards including a base portion and an upright upstanding therefrom, said base portion of the standard-having a curved under surface whereby the standard may be rocked and its upright deflected, and the centreof gravity of each of said standards being so arranged that the standard will possess stable equilibrium when occupying an upright position and will automatically return to such position after roclring and deflection of its uprifrht, a pendulum hung on one of said stanc ards and occupying anormal gravitated position with relation theretowhen the standard is in an upright position, and means whereby the pendulum will be maintained to occupyra changed gravitated position with relation to the upright of the standard when the standard has been rocked and the upright deflected in a determinate amount.

5. A hurdle of the character specified comprising a set of standards, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said standards including a base portion and an upright upstanding therefrom, said base portion of the standard having a curved under surface whereby the standard may be rocked and its upright deflected, and the centre of gravity of each of said standards being so arranged that the standard will possess stable equilibrium when occupying an upright position and will automatically return to such position after rocking and deflection of its upright, a pendulum hung on one of said standards and occupying a normal gravitatedA position within the upright of the standard when the` standard is occupying a normal upright position, and means whereby the pendulum will be maintained to occupy a gravitated position outside the upright of the standard within which it is normally contained when the standard has been rocked and the upright thereof deflected in a determinate amount. y y

6. lA hurdle of the character specified comprising a set of standards, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said standards including a base portion and an upright upstan-ding therefrom, said base portionv of the standard having a curved under surface whereby the standard may be rocked and its upright deected, and the centrevof gravity of each of said standards being so arranged that the standard will possess stable equilibrium` when occupying an upright position and will automatically return to such position after rocking and deflection of its upright, a pendulum hung on one of said standards and occupying a normal gravited position within the upright of the standard when the stan-dard is occupying a normal upright position, and a spring-pressed pin arranged to bear against the side of the pendulum bar when the pendulum is occupying its normal gravitated position as aforesaid and will slip by said bar for locking the pendulum outside the upright in which it is normally contained when the standard has been rocked and the upright deected in a determinate amount.

7. A hurdle of the character specified comprising a set of standards, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said standards including a base portion and an upright upstanding therefrom, said base portion of the standard having a curved under surface whereby the standard may be rocked and its upright deflected, and the centre of gravity of'each of said standards being so arranged that the standard will possess stable equilibrium when occupying an upright position and will automatically return to such position after rocking and deflection of its upright, a weight contained within the base portion of one of said standards and adapted to occupy a changed position when said standard has been rocked and the upright thereof deflected in a determinate amount, and means for holding the weight in said changed position.

8. A hurdle of the character specified comprising a set of standar-ds, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said standards including a base portion and an upright upstanding therefrom, said base portion of the standard having a curved under surface whereby the standard may be rocked and its upright deflected, and the centre of gravity of each of said standards being so arranged that the standard will possess stable equilibrium when occupying an upright position and will automatically return to such position after rocking and deflection of its upright, a weight contained within the base portion of one of said standards, a pivoted block on which said weight is adapted to rest when the standard is in a normal upright position Vand to occupy a vchanged position in relation to said block when the standard has been rocked and the upright thereof deflected in a determinate amount, and means whereby the block will function as a stop to hold said Weight in its changed position. Y

9. A hurdle of the character specified comprising a set of standards, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said standards including a base portion and an upright upstanding therefrom, said base portion of the standard having a curved under surface whereby the standard may berocked and its upright deiiected, and the centre of gravity of each of said standards being so arranged that the standard will possess stable equilibrium when occupying an upright position and will automatically return to suchl position after rocking and deflection of its upright, and a wing hinged to the base portion of each of said standards and adapted and arranged to occupy a folded position o-n said base portion or an unfolded position in eXtension of-said base portion.

l0. A hurdle of the character specified comprising a set of standards, a hurdle bar borne by the standards, each of said standards including a base portion and an upright upstanding therefrom, said base portion of the standard having a whereby the standard may be rocked and its upright deflected, and the centre of gravity of each of said standards being so arranged that the standard will possess stable equilibrium when and will automatically return to such position after rocking and deflectionof its upright, wings hinged to the opposite fore and aft ends of the base portion of each of said standards and adapted and arranged to occupy folded portion or thereof.

positions resting upon said base unfolded positions in extension FRANK E. AUSTIN.

curved under` surfaceV 

